An African safari is a dream vacation – one that the team at Africa Adventure Consultants can make come true. What makes working with AAC extra special is that every safari we design is unique and customized just for you.
If you’d like to take that uniqueness to a whole new level, we have some favorite accommodations sprinkled throughout our African safari destinations that are of a different ilk – they sport rare features or designs that will make your trip all the more memorable. From sleeping underwater in the Indian Ocean to feeding giraffes from your breakfast table, we have accommodations that will make your safari one-of-a-kind. Today, we explore a few of these gems.
Shipwreck Lodge sits where the treacherous, misty waters of the Atlantic meet the desolate, sandy cost of Namibia. The Lodge’s design was inspired by the coast’s namesake – shipwrecks scattered along its shores, with cabin-style structures shaped like stranded vessels, blending seamlessly into the surrounding dunes and rugged landscape. Cozy fireplaces will keep you warm on cold nights, while Namibian hospitality will keep you warm throughout your stay. During your visit you can enjoy game drives to search for unique desert-adapted wildlife, enjoy epic sunsets, visit the ‘Roaring Dunes,’ visit decaying shipwrecks and a huge seal colony, see unique geographical features, enjoy ATV rides, dune boarding and more.
Kruger Shalati (shown at top) sits upon an historic railway bridge over the Sabie River in South Africa where the very first visitors to Kruger National Park arrived for their safaris. Now, a train spans the bridge, with 24 glass-walled carriage suites for travelers looking for something different. The lodge offers an immersive experience with nature as far as the eye can see and the river flowing below. Rooms are beautifully and luxuriously appointed and feature local art and crafts, giving a wonderful glimpse into local culture. There are also swimming pools for cooling off and enjoying the views – including watching the crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and elephants below!
If you’ve ever wanted to venture below the sea without having to snorkel or dive, here’s your chance! Pemba Island is one of Zanzibar’s least-visited islands, and Manta sits at its remote northwestern edge. In addition to its ‘barefoot luxury’ oceanfront villas dotted above its soft, sandy beach, Manta offers a unique underwater room. The room sits out in the water, is reachable only by boat and is anchored to the ocean floor. It is three stories – a sun or star-bathing deck up top; a living room/lounge, bathroom (with shower) at water level; and most magical of all, downstairs, the room’s bedroom, is below the water’s surface. Countless fish species swim by the room’s huge windows including trumpetfish, octopuses, snow-capped anemone shrimp and many more, while shy and more unusual species like squid can be spotted at night under the room’s exterior lights. Guests can snorkel, dive, enjoy forest and sandbank excursions and much more during a stay.
This 5-star hotel sits above Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, an outstanding base for exploring South Africa’s Mother City. Glamorous and luxurious, The Silo Hotel celebrates art, style and architecture. The hotel was built in the grain elevator portion of an historic grain silo complex occupying six floors above Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa). Zeitz MOCAA houses Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art. Every suite at The Silo Hotel is individually decorated and features a private balcony and its own private art collection. Views are unforgettable!
Africa’s many mighty rivers and beautiful coastline beg for a stay upon a boat. One favorite of the AAC team is the Zambezi Queen in Botswana. Making its home upon the Chobe River, the craft offers stunning views, luxurious accommodations and fantastic cuisine. The unique experience of a river safari offers both big game excitement with nature’s tranquility. In addition to water-based game viewing, guests can enjoy fishing, spa treatments, birding, small-boat photo safaris and cultural tours.
Giraffe Manor offers incredible hospitality, fine dining and great wellness facilities, but that isn’t why people request to stay as part of their Kenyan safari – it’s the resident herd of Nubian giraffes and the encounters that guests can have with them that is the real draw. Travelers can enjoy breakfast or afternoon tea, often in the company of the giraffes, which they might have the chance to hand feed. These are core Instagrammable moments! The boutique hotel is well located and rooms are individually designed and beautifully appointed. And did we mention the giraffes?
Another special option on an African safari is the chance to sleep out in the bush. This could take the form of fly camping – a basic setup with a bedroll or cot, camping under the stars or a more luxurious option such as a treehouse. Your stay might include dinner under the night skies before turning into a four-poster bed with the sounds of the African bush as your lullaby. Be sure to talk with your Journey Specialist about options.
This is just a sampling of some of the wonderful, one-of-a-kind accommodations that are offered across Africa.
Contact a Journey Specialist to talk through your options and subscribe to our newsletter below for more travel inspiration!
Photos courtesy of Shalati, Chalkley Treehouse, Shipwreck Lodge, Manta Resort, The Silo Hotel, Zambezi Queen, Giraffe Manor and Kingston Treehouse